Drive for pride and glory: A 2019 Bandera yearend report

2019 was a year of success stories in sports.

All 12 months were full of courage and unyielding drive for pride and glory.

A fitting end to the year was a celebration for Philippine sports as Filipinos claimed the overall championship in the 30th Southeast Asian Games.

Sports, however, is not all cheers and victory. Struggles and setbacks also hounded some of the Filipino athletes in 2019.

A series of misfortunes, frustrations and subpar execution from previous international tournaments, however, led to the country’s awakening to stage a brighter plan.

Dedication of athletes coupled by support from government is starting to pay off as two youngsters named Caloy Yulo and EJ Obiena already booked seats to 2020 Tokyo Olympics while a bevy of elite athletes are starting to prepare for their respective qualifiers.

Let’s look back to these 10 notable moments that were only pieces of Philippines’ entire picture of triumph in 2019.

VAULTING TO TOP

Pole vault’s Ernest John Obiena, 24, became the country’s first gold medal hope in the Tokyo Games.

Redeeming himself from gruesome injury that almost made him quit, this lanky 6-foot-2 athlete fought odds and punched a ticket going to the most glorious quadrennial sports showcase when he cleared a 5.81-meter jump that surpassed Olympic standard of 5.80-meter while competing in a tournament in Chiari, Italy last September.

His performance thus reset his personal and Philippine record for the third time. Buoyed by ecstatic feeling of being first Filipino to qualify for the Games, Obiena ended the year in stellar form after capturing his first-ever Southeast Asian Games gold on a 5.35-meter showing for a new region mark.

‘KALABAW LANG ANG TUMATANDA’

Manny Pacquiao truly exemplified maxim that life begins at forty and a Filipino saying that only carabaos get old.

He may lost touch of his stinging power to knock down opponents but the iconic boxer proved to the world he can still dominate despite his growing age.

Boxing’s lone eight division world champion tamed USA’s Adrien Broner via unanimous decision in January to retain his WBA (regular) welterweight title. Pacman followed his superb act in July, beating another American in Keith Thurman through split decision to hoist WBA (super) welterweight crown.

The now 41-year old improved his professional record at 62-7-2 and it seemed that he has no plans to retire yet with another fight in 2020 brewing.

Just recently, the incumbent senator padded his passbook as Forbes named him as 8th richest athlete of the decade with the likes of Floyd Mayweather, Jr. and football stars Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi topping the list. Pacquiao earned an eye-popping $435 million or P22 billion from 2010 to 2019.

UNDISPUTED BANTAMWEIGHT KING

Since Jerwin Ancajas notched the IBF junior bantamweight title in 2016, he loved it so much that he didn’t want to give it away.

The 27-year old nicknamed “Pretty Boy” had a beautiful year with two mesmerizing victories that both happened in sixth round.

The southpaw from Panabo, Davao del Norte pounded Ryuichi Funai of Japan via corner stoppage in May before overpowering Miguel Gonzalez of Mexico through technical knockout in December.

Ancajas’ amazing wins accounted him to a 32-1-2 card and an unprecedented eight straight title defense which is the longest in history of IBF bantamweight class.

MASTER OF ART

No doubt, Efren “Bata” Reyes possesses the magic no one else in the kingdom of billiards had.

“The Magician”, at 65, is arguably the greatest pool player of all-time.

Winner of over 70 international titles across generations, the former 8-ball and 9-ball world champion cemented his legacy being a cue artist that mastered the unbelievable trick shots that bewildered and amazed the world.

Reyes showed in his ultimate SEA Games stint by competing in the unique carom-3 cushion event where he bagged bronze medal.

Whether the biennial meet be his swan song or not, Bata’s name will never gets old forever.

HEROIC WAVE

Saving one’s life especially if it your competitors’ shines more precious than gold. It glitters most than any carat.

Roger Casugay didn’t want to be called hero when he rescued Indonesia’s Arip Nurhidayat from an imminent tragedy during the surfing event of the recently-concluded SEA Games. He is a real-life hero whether he like it o not.

Casugay who was leading the competition then, turned around upon noticing Indonesia’s Arip Nurhidayat being thrown up in the air by the wave’s force.

The 24-year old La Union native earned praises not just from fellow Filipinos but also from no less than Indonesian President Joko Widodo who saluted the surfer’s heroism on Twitter.

“Winning a competition and upholding sportsmanship is important, but still, humanity is above all,” Widodo tweeted

Casugay served also as Philippines’ flag bearer in the SEAG closing ceremonies while accepting Fair Play award.

BARKING TO GREATNESS

Until when the National University Lady Bulldogs will continue to conquer the UAAP women’s basketball?

There’s seems to be a specific date for that, yet.

The Sampaloc-based female dribblers rewrote history in November after clinching their sixth straight championship anchored by an extraordinary 96-game winning streak.

The last time the squad lost dates back on October 5, 2013 where they were defeated by the La Salle Lady Archers in game three of finals.

With the Lady Bulldogs’ perfect run in six seasons, it’s no question that they are among the greatest teams- if not, the best- the league has ever had.

GIRLS OF HISTORY

It was an evening that filled with tears of joy and a window-opening victory that could take them to spotlight like their male counterparts.

The queens of Philippine basketball captured their maiden gold medal in the SEA Games 5×5 tournament following a 91-71 thrashing of Thailand. They also drubbed Indonesia and Malaysia for a clean 3-0 sheet.

After reigning supreme, the country witnessed how dedicated these girls are for the sport but there is no avenue to further showcase what they got. Hence, the Gilas women, who are all comprised of collegiate cagers hope that there would be a professional league waiting for them at the end of the rainbow.

The quadruple of Jack Aminam, Afril Bernardino, Clare Castro and Janine Pontejos who all spearheaded the 5×5 doubled the celebration by also ruling the street-style 3×3 event.

REGION’S TOUGHEST SOFTBELLES

For four decades now, the Philippines has ruled Southeast Asian women’s softball.

The PH women’s team forced a mercy rule in 5th inning, 8-0 as the Blu Girls repulsed Indonesia for their 10th consecutive crown in the SEA Games.

The Filipina batters stamped their class in 1979, 1981, 1987, 1991, 1997, 2005, 2007, 2011 and 2015 before defending the title anew.

Throughout the years, the Blu Girls were making waves globally with appearances in World Championship, World Cup and Asian Championship where they contend with powerhouse countries such as Canada, Australia, Mexico, China and Chinese-Taipei.

The world No.13 squad narrowly missed the chance to bat in the Olympics after only finishing fourth in the Asia/ Oceania qualifiers a couple of months ago but it doesn’t make them less of a champion.

LYDIA’S SUCCESSOR

Little was known about this Filipino-American until Kristina Marie Knott sprinted her way to stardom in the 30th SEA Games.

The 24-year old who traces roots from Imus, Cavite set a new Philippine record that brought her to winning the SEAG gold medal in the 200-m dash and surpassing legendary Lydia de Vega’s 23.35 seconds record that the latter held for 33 years.

Knott first clocked 23.01 seconds during heats but reset it in finals as she also erased the old record of 23.30 seconds. The former University of Miami standout bagged gold in 4×100-meter mixed relay as well on top of silver medals in 100-meter sprint and 4×100-meter relay.

She will compete at the 2020 Asian Indoor Athletics Championships for a chance to gain Olympic berth.

MONSTER CORNERSTONE

In Norse mythology, Kraken is a giant octopus-like sea monster that sow fear to seafarers. In Philippine basketball, another “Kraken” has been doing damage since he entered the pro league in 2012.

June Mar Fajardo was a wall hard to destroy inside the hard court with his staunch offense and defense. This propelled him to start the year right toward winning his fifth straight Most Valuable Player award.

The 6-foot-10 gentle giant broke away from four-time MVPs Ramon Fernandez and Alvin Patrimonio to become the only PBA player to snare five MVP trophies.

For season 43, Fajardo averaged 20.6 points and 12.4 rebounds for the Beermen and still in contention for a sixth PBA MVP plum.

BEST OF THE BEST

As for world gymnast champion and double SEA Games gold medalist Carlos Yulo, he was voted by the BANDERA Sports team as 2019 Athlete of the Year.

And that is another story.